April 23, 2009: The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox both placed in the Top Ten among all MLB teams based on the value of the franchises, according to a new report from Forbes magazine. The Cubs were No. 7 overall, with a value of $700 million, and showed a 9% increase in value over last year. The White Sox were No. 10, with a value of $450 million and a 2% increase in value. The overall list shows the imbalance of big market teams over smaller markets: Both teams from New York and the Los Angeles area, in addition to both Chicago teams, made the Top Ten, with the Yankees the only franchise valued at more than $1 billion ($1.5 billion). Also included among the Top Ten were Boston, Philadelphia, St. Louis and San Francisco. Only St. Louis is not among the 21 largest cities in the U.S. according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of MLB's 30 teams, 17 showed an increase in value over last year, according to Forbes, three remained the same and ten decreased in value, lead by the Washington Nationals (down 12%) and the Atlanta Braves (down 10%). The Cubs were aided by increased marketing activation at Wrigley Field and the sale of the team to the Ricketts Family for $900 million.